HP 910XL Vs. 916XL: Which Ink Cartridge Should You Choose?

HP inkjet printers are a popular choice for home and office use. When it comes time to replace your cartridges, you’ll need to decide between the HP 910XL and 916XL models.

This guide will compare the key features and differences between these two cartridges to help you pick the right one.

A Brief Comparison Table

FeatureHP 910XLHP 916XL
Page Yield~800 pages~1600 pages
Compatible PrintersHP OfficeJet, HP ENVY, HP DeskJet 2130/3630/3700 seriesHP OfficeJet Pro 6960/6962/6968/6970/6978 series
Ink TypeDye-basedPigment-based
Typical UseHome printing, photosBusiness printing, documents
Price Per PageLowerHigher

Overview of HP 910XL

The HP 910XL is a popular standard-capacity cartridge designed for home printing. Here are some of its key features:

HP 910XL
HP 910XL
  • Estimated page yield of ~800 pages with 5% coverage
  • Uses dye-based ink which provides vibrant colors for photos and graphics
  • Designed for use in HP’s OfficeJet, ENVY, and DeskJet 2130/3630/3700 series printers
  • Lower cost per page compared to 916XL
  • Cartridge contains more ink than the standard HP 910 model
  • Easy to install and replace
  • Reliable OEM cartridge from HP

With its high page yield and dye-based ink, the 910XL delivers excellent value for photo printing and everyday home use. The ink produces brilliant colors perfect for family photos, projects, and printing webpages with graphics.

Overview of HP 916XL

The HP 916XL is a high-capacity cartridge designed for business use:

  • Estimated page yield of ~1600 pages at 5% coverage
  • Uses pigment-based ink that resists smearing and fading
  • Designed for HP’s OfficeJet Pro 6960/6962/6968/6970/6978 series printers
  • Higher cost per page than 910XL
  • Highest capacity OEM cartridge available from HP
  • Long shelf life even when printer isn’t used regularly
  • Smudge and water resistant prints perfect for documents

With its pigment ink and high durability, the 916XL is ideal for printing business documents, invoices, letters, and more. The ink is fade and water resistant, so prints maintain legibility even when frequently handled.

Also Read: Is 123inkjets Better Than 4inkjets?

Key Differences Between HP 910XL and 916XL

While both cartridges are designed by HP, the 910XL and 916XL have some important differences that impact their usage.

1. Printer Compatibility

The first thing you need to check before buying a cartridge is whether it’s compatible with your printer. It’s a bit like making sure you’re putting the right fuel in your car.

HP 916XL

The HP 910XL is like a versatile player on a sports team. It’s designed to fit in several different printers. Specifically, it’s made for HP’s OfficeJet, ENVY, and even the DeskJet 2130/3630/3700 series. These printers are often found in homes, where printing needs can vary from photos to book reports.

On the other hand, the HP 916XL has a more specialized role. Imagine it as a specialist player, good at one specific task. It’s specifically built for the OfficeJet Pro 6960/6962/6968/6970/6978 series. These are typically business printers. So, if you’re running a small office or home office, this cartridge might be for you.

2. Page Yield

Page yield refers to the estimated number of pages a cartridge can print before it runs out. It’s a bit like how many miles you can drive on a full tank of gas.

The 910XL offers a decent distance, allowing you to print around 800 pages. This might be enough for occasional home printing.

The 916XL, though, is like a fuel-efficient truck. It promises a whopping 1600 pages – double that of the 910XL. It’s designed for heavy-duty users, like businesses that print a lot of documents.

Also Read: Choose Between HP 202a And 202x Toner Cartridge.

3. Ink Type

Now, let’s talk about the ink itself. Inks can be as diverse as the colors in a painter’s palette, each with its own strengths.

The 910XL uses dye-based inks. Imagine these inks like watercolors. They can produce brilliant and vivid colors, perfect for printing colorful photos or vibrant illustrations.

The 916XL opts for pigment inks. Think of these as acrylic paints – thicker and more robust. They might not shine as brightly as dye inks, but they resist fading and water much better. If you’re printing a business report or a flyer that needs to withstand some wear and tear, pigment inks are your friend.

4. Typical Use

It’s always good to match the tool with the task. So, consider what you print most often.

The 910XL is like your everyday kitchen knife. It’s great for home use, where you’re printing a mix of photos, web pages, and other colorful documents.

Meanwhile, the 916XL is the specialized chef’s knife, built for specific tasks. It thrives in business settings where you’re mostly printing text documents, charts, and graphs.

5. Durability

Let’s talk about how long your print lasts. Like how some books yellow and wear out faster than others, printed pages can also show their age.

The 910XL’s dye-based ink can produce fantastic images, but they might fade quicker, especially if exposed to light or moisture.

The 916XL, with its pigment ink, is more durable. Imagine it as a hardcover book. It stands up to smudging, water, and fading. It’s perfect for important documents that you handle regularly.

6. Shelf Life

How long your cartridge lasts in storage is another crucial aspect. If you don’t print regularly, you’d want an ink that doesn’t dry out or lose quality.

The 910XL, being dye-based, might face issues if left unused for extended periods. It’s like fresh produce – best used while fresh.

The 916XL and its pigment ink are more resilient. Think of it as canned goods in your pantry. Even if you don’t print for weeks, the 916XL should be ready to go when you need it.

Also watch this review video:

7. Color Options

When it comes to colors, these cartridges offer choices. The 910XL is a tri-color cartridge. Like a three-in-one coffee mix, it combines cyan, magenta, and yellow.

The 916XL offers a bit more. It’s available in tri-color, but you can also get it in black. It gives you options based on what you’re printing.

8. Cost Considerations

Budget is often a deciding factor. The 910XL might be cheaper upfront – like buying a small snack. But with its lower page yield, the cost per page might be higher.

The 916XL is like a bulk purchase. It costs more initially, but because it can print more pages, the cost per print might end up being less. It’s always a good idea to do some math and figure out which is more economical in the long run.

Also Read: Comparison Between the HP 7301 and Epson 4850

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the difference between 910 and 910XL?

The 910XL has a higher page yield (~800 pages) compared to the standard 910 (~330 pages). Both use the same dye-based ink formulation.

How long does HP 910XL ink last?

Under normal use, the 910XL averages about 800 pages before needing replacement. Actual yield varies based on the type of documents printed and ink coverage.

Can you use 910 instead of 910XL?

Yes, the standard 910 cartridges will physically fit and work in printers designed for 910XL. However, you’ll get fewer pages before needing new cartridges.

How many pages is HP 910XL?

HP estimates the 910XL yields around 800 pages on average when printing documents with 5% ink coverage. Higher coverage uses ink faster, reducing the total pages.

Also Read: Comparison Between Brother LC3033 and LC3035

Final Thoughts

The HP 910XL and 916XL both offer excellent quality and reliable performance. For home and photo printing, the 910XL is likely the better choice.

Business users will benefit most from the durability and high page yield of the 916XL. Consider the features that matter most for your particular printing needs. With either OEM HP cartridge, you can count on outstanding results from your compatible HP printer.

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